Fearful Storm in South of England
In October a fearful storm of wind struck the South of England causing a number of deaths and also great destruction of property. It came in the middle of the night wholly without warning as the weather men had not expected a storm of such intensity. It is a reminder to us of how quickly death and destruction may come on a people. The Lord in His providence permits and orders such solemn dispensations in order that men may hear His voice in them and take warning while the day of mercy lasts. Yet after all what are such visitations but a whisper of His power. Who can take in what His wrath shall be in the destruction of sinners. The Psalmist was saying:
“Who knows the power of Thy wrath?
according to Thy fear
So is Thy wrath: “Lord, teach Thou us
our end in mind to bear.” Ps 90: 11,12.
What need there is to be afraid lest the wrath of Jehovah should break out upon us for our sins. Who will ever rise up again if that storm should overtake him — the storm of God’s wrath.
“Snares, fire and brimstone, furious storms,
on sinners He shall rain:
This as the portion of their cup,
doth unto them pertain.” Ps. 11: 6.
May we be delivered from those storms of divine wrath by being hid in a cleft of that rock which is Christ.
Archbishop at Tomb of Mary, Queen of Scots
On the 400th anniversary of the death of Mary, Queen of Scots, the Archbishop of Canterbury prayed at her tomb for unity between the Anglican, Reformed and Roman Catholic Churches. He said: “May the
memory of Mary, Queen of Scots, heal the divisions of the past and free us from the tyrannies of history.” It is very strange what past events modern ecumenicals will use to try to further their own cause. The only thing that the memory of Mary, Queen of Scots, will do for those truly Reformed is to make them thankful to the Most High that Mary was not permitted to overthrow the Reformation in Scotland as she would have dearly loved to have done. Scotland owes much to John Knox whom the Lord raised up at that time and who refused to bow to her.
Church of England and Sodomy
Rev. Anthony Higton, rector of Hawkwell, Essex tabled a solution, declaring homosexual activity, adultery and fornication sinful, for debate at the General Synod of the Church of England. He also pressed for references to the Gay and Lesbian Christian Movement to be removed from the Church of England Year Book. The rector of St. Botolph’s Church in London, where the headquarters of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement is found, tabled an amendment calling on the Church to encourage commitment and permanence in all sexual relationships, and warnings against promiscuity whether in heterosexual or homosexual relationships. The Bishop of Chester, termed a Conservative Evangelical, put forward a second amendment stating that homosexual acts fall short of the ideal of total commitment within the marriage relationship. A third amendment by Rev. David Holloway of Newcastle calls for disciplinary measures against clergy in cases of sexual immorality. It would be good if the resolution and the last amendment were carried but in the present sad state of the Church of England it is unlikely that this can obtain sufficient support. Even Mrs Thatcher, the Prime Minister, has had to step in and warn the leaders of the Church of England of the need to take a definite moral stance and oppose what is evil. Whether they will give heed to her call will be seen in the General Synod. How solemn it is that there is not unanimous agreement in opposition to all vile sins.
Abortion Reform Bill
David Alton MP, a Roman Catholic, has presented to Parliament an Abortion Reform Bill having in view reducing from 28 weeks to 18 weeks the time in which abortions can be legally carried out. A strong abortion lobby is working hard to see that this Bill will not reach the Statute Book. If passed it will make some small impact on the number of abortions carried out. About 6000 abortions in the 18 – 28 week range were carried
out in 1986 over against a total for the year of 172,288. A far more rigorous Reform Act would be required if any substantial impact is to be made on the yearly figures for abortion. Since the Abortion Act of 1967 was passed over 3 million foetuses have been aborted. What solemn consequences this will have for Britain when the Lord in His appointed time will make inquisition after blood. That time may not be far away as the nation ripens for judgment.
Sabbath Racing
Lord Wyatt’s Bill to allow racing and other sporting activities on the Sabbath faces strong opposition from Lord Graham and Viscount Brentford in the House of Lords. Many amendments tabled to it if supported could greatly weaken it and eventually ensure its overthrow. The attack on the Sabbath continues on every hand in this sin-blinded generation. What need there is that the Lord would graciously maintain His own day in our midst and scatter His enemies who are seeking to destroy it. A nation that loses its Sabbath can no longer be called a Christian land.
Involvement with Sabbath Desecration
The Autumn 1987 issue of Joy and Light, the magazine of the Lord’s Day Observance Society, comments on the Sabbath desecration that will take place at the Glasgow Garden Festival 1988 and calls upon churches not to give support to the Festival on this account. The principle enunciated is similar to the view which has been held by the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland for many years. The full quotation from Joy and Light is as follows:
“We live in sad times when the church can have men stand up in public and praise efforts like the Glasgow Garden Festival of 1988 where we understand the churches section will be designated under the theme ‘The Year of the Bible’. Be it known by all readers that we in the L.D.O.S. would like very much to stand up and give this venture our blessing, but we cannot upon being told that this Festival will be open as a commercial venture upon the Lord’s Day.
“How can the churches involved justify their open handed support of this Festival when it involves the commercial desecration of the Lord’s Day? Is the excuse going to be (once again) that they ‘Don’t think God would object because of the theme ‘The Year of the Bible’.’ This type of excuse just will not do any more to excuse the slackness of Biblical standards. Is God one who changes His mind because of circumstances, or because it brings in money to the church coffers? We say He most cer-
tainly is not! God is interested in obedience to His commands, and it is to the shame of all denominations and organisations who are party to ventures such as the one here described.”
D. B.